Fat Head’s Brewery sells Trail Head Pale Ale for a cause

A portion of the proceeds from Trail Head Pale Ale sales will benefit the Cleveland Metroparks Trails Fund.

Eric Strader

Posted on June 11, 2014 at 1:30 p.m.

Eric Strader writes about the craft beer scene in Indiana and Michigan. He's a dad, husband, potter, soccer coach and special education paraprofessional who likes to read, bike, hike and canoe. You can read more from him in his community blog for The Elkhart Truth, Hop Notes.

There are so many canned beers out there that I’m just going to continue writing about them.

Much of canned beer is about being in and enjoying the outdoors, which is what Fat Head’s Brewery’s Trail Head Pale Ale is all about.

I am lucky enough to have a friend in Cleveland that provided me with my own can of Trail Head Pale Ale. Just the other night I cracked it open, and as expected, what is there not to like about this combination of hops? Not overpowering, just nice, easy drinking. It has citrusy, fruity hop flavors – overall a smooth, medium bodied, flavorful pale ale. Some of Fat Head’s beers are distributed to our area, such as Head Hunter (IPA, 7.5% ABV, IBUs 87) and Bumble Berry (honey blueberry ale, 5.3% ABV, IBUs 13). If I had to guess, I believe that Miles Lab is on the short list for allocated beers from Fat Head’s. I do hope that we will see some draft in Michiana.

It’s not about the destination. It’s about the experience – the adventure. Trees. Water. Sky. Air. Soak it up. Breathe it in. Refresh the soul. Clear your head. Hit the trail.

Winner of the Fresh Hop Ale Silver Medal at the 2013 Great American Beer Festival, Fat Head’s Brewery recently announced the release of Trail Head Pale Ale (6.3% ABV, IBUs 55) in cans. Trail Head Pale Ale is brewed using Amarillo, Mosaic and whole flower Citra and Simcoe hops, geared for chillin’ out after an epic day outdoors. A fresh brew that heads off the grid and gives back good vibes with a portion of the proceeds aimed directly at supporting the Cleveland Metroparks Trails Fund. The Trails Fund supports the rehabilitation of the Park District’s more than 270 miles of trails.

Get your can off the couch and pedal, paddle, hike, climb or run to Northeast Ohio, which is the only area where you will find cans in distribution. The exclusive pre-release was May 28 – June 1 only at The Tap House at Fat Head’s Brewery, and draft distribution will include Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania and Indiana.

Co-owner and brewer Matt Cole crafted Trail Head Pale Ale at Fat Head's Brewery a year ago to raise money for the Cleveland Metroparks Trails Fund. The official Kick-Off celebration this year will coincide with National Trails Day on June 7th, beginning with the opening of the Bedford Heights Reservation Trail, followed by a party at The Tap House all-day starting at noon. Enjoy smokin’ food specials, plus a dollar from every pint sold that day of all Fat Head's beers will be donated to the fund. After Saturday, Cole said, 50 cents for every pint, $1 for every growler and $5 for each keg will go to the fund. He recently said his goal is to donate $15,000 from the ale's sales. Cole added some of the Metroparks golf courses will sell Trail Head Pale Ale.

About Fat Head’s Brewery

The brewery began full-scale production in May, 2012. Fat Head’s got it’s head start in Pittsburgh in 1992 as a restaurant and premier taphouse. In 2009, they teamed up with head brewmaster Matt Cole to open Fat Head’s Brewery & Saloon in North Olmsted, OH. The production facility and newly opened Tap House in neighboring Middleburg Heights, OH was built in response to overwhelming customer demand. Fat Head’s Brewery distributes their award-winning ales and lagers throughout Ohio and Western Pennsylvania. Another Fat Head’s Brewpub is slated to open in Portland, OR in late-2014.

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